Transmission



Sept.' 11, 1956 D. w., KELBEL TRANSMISSION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2 1951 N uw V w um mh ml. QM w I I /W/ /y/V/f/ d -D WM 2 mw E mw NN 5w ,-lwh im 1-.- /W/N/ 1mm. m QW 1 n y LIN J1 www Sm. Y bm. .9%. NNI NM NW www W .QN S hw ww Sept. 11, 1956 D. w. KELBEL TRANSMISSION Filed May 2 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Spt. 1 1, 1956 D. w. KELBEI.

TRANSMISSION 3 Y Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 2, 1951 WHL/MM @j United States Patent i TRANSMISSION Donaldv W. KelbelMuncie, Ind., assigner to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application-May 2, 19er, serial No. 224,162

- claims. (ci. 74- 67-7) My inventionk relates to transmissions and' more' particularly'to transmissions for automotive vehicles.V

It -is anv object of the present invention to 'provide-an improved transmission of this type comprisingY a -hydrodynamic coupling device, and more particularly ahy# draulic torqueconve'rter, which transmits allVV of the power from the drive shaft of the transmission inl a low speed forward drive, a portion only of the-power from the'drive shaft in an intermediate speed forward drive, a smaller portion of the power from the drive shaft in a highspeed drive, and allof the power from the drive shaft in areversedrive.

To this end it'fis an object of the invention to provide a transmission of this type comprising two planetary gear sets `in connection withv the hydrodynamic torque transmitting device. VIt is eontemplatedtiiat the twovplanetary gear sets shall be connected intandem for the first or low speed' forward drive with both of the gear setsrmultiplying torque, that the first gear set shall be used for the intermediate speed drive for recombinng power previously divided so that only a part of the drive shaft torque is transmitted through the hydrodynamic device with the second planetary gear set multiplying the power transmitte'd from the ir'st planetary'gear set and hydrodynamic device asin low speed forward drive and ythat the second planetary gear set shall be utilized for recombining torque previously divided so that a less portion of the power from the 'drive shaft is transmitted through the hydrodynamic device for the high speed forward drive. lItis contemplated 'that preferably a clutchn'iay be used for connecting an'element of the first planetary gear set tothe driveshaft for' providing the divisionof power with respect to the' hydrodynamic' device.

The' invention' consists of the novel constructions, arrangements and' devices to be 'hereinafterY described and cl'aii'nedfforA carrying outthe above stated objects andv such other objects as will appear from' the following description 'of a preferred embodiment' of the invention illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is'a longitudinal sectional view of a transmission embodying the principles of the invention;HA I

Fig.' 2 is a sectional' view on' an enlarged scale''taken Online 2:-2 of Pig. 1 in the direction indicate'dyad Figs. 3v, 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic'illustratios of the transmission showing -thepower trains through the trans'- mission for low speed forward drive, intermediate speed forward drive,'hign speed forward drive and' reverse" drive, 'respectively'. g

Lik'echaracters' of referencev designate' lik'e parts" in the' several views. i

Referring' 'now tol the drawings, the illustrated; trains#` mission'con'iprisesy a drive shaft 16 and a Vdriven"shaft11",;Y both of which' are rotatably'disposed within' a transn'iis'sion lease 12E.A The'dnvevv shaft io-isvadaptea to befcennectea with `the crankshaft of the` engine` of the automotive 'vehil' cle'in which 'thetra'ns'mis'sion is' installed, 'andthe driven; is adapted to -b'e connectedV Vwith` the driviiig' road 2 wheelsoff the vehicle by any suitable, well-'known drive connections (not shown); An intermediate shaft 13 is piloted'witl-i respect to the shafts 16' and 11, and sleeve shafts 14' and'l'are' disposed over the shaft 13.

The ltransmission comprises in general, a hydraulic torque converter 16, planetary gear sets Y17 and 18, a friction clutch 19, friction brakes 2) and 21 and a combination clutch and brake 22 of the friction type. A

The hydraulic torque converter 16 comprises a bladed vliuid impeller 23 the outer wall of which islformed by the converter housing 24 fixedvto a flywheel 25. Therflywheel 25 is connected with the drive shaft 10 by means of a flexible-disc 26.l The converter 16 comprises'also a-fbladed rotor or driven element 2 7 and a bladed liuid redirecting' stator 28. The stator `28 is rotatably disposed on the sleeve shaft 15 which is fixed with respect to the transmissionV housing 12. l

A one-way brake 29 is provided between thek stationary sleeve shaftY 15-` and thevstator 2S, and theorie-way brake 29fco1nprises inner and outer cylindrical surfaces or races 3% and' y31 and' a plurality of tiltable sprags 3,2 adapted to wedge-betweenl the cylindrical races 30 and 31 so asto prevent a rotation of the stator 28'in the reverse direction indicated by the arrow A whichl is opposite to Ithe direction Vof rotation of the drive shaftml indicated' byV the arrow B. The sprags 32 tilt Iclockwise as seen yin Fig. 2 to-allow a free forward rotation of the stator .28,` tha-t is, rotation in the same direction as is indicated lgythe arrow AB. The sprags 32 'are yieldably tilted to be in frietional contact withthe surfaces andl by means of a'eircular garter spring 33l disposed in slots 34 formed in the ends of the sprags 32. Y

The uidtorque converter 16 and the one-way brake 29 are common constructions, and hence further details of these constructions are not deemed necessary.` The converter 16' functions when the fluid impeller 23 is driven from the shaft 10 to drive the rotor 27 at an increased torque with respect to that provided to the impellen Fluid iows between the vanes ofthe impeller l23 and'is impelledf thereby so as to enter between and strike on the vanes of the rotor 27 causing a turningmoment to bey exerted onthe rotor. The vanes of the stator V28 are s0 lshaped as to redirect the fluid flowing from the rotor 27 tol cause the uid to impinge on the vanes of `the impeller 273V in a direction tending to help rotation of the impeller 23 in the forward direction as indicatedby the arrow' B whichl provides the torque multiplyingVV function in the converter 16 when the stator 28 is stationary. The reaction on the stator 28 under these conditions is inthereverse direction asv indicated bythe arrow A, and theone-way brake 29 prevents rotation ofthe stator in this direction. When the rotor 27 increases substantially in speed, the reaction inV the reverse direction onthe stator 28 ceases and'reverses so that the stator beginsto rotate inthe forwardV direction as indicated by the arrow B, and thisrotation ofthe statory is allowed by theone-way brake 29 whichl releases. Under these condi-tions the'V torque converter 16 functions as av simple fluid coupling with no multiplication ofl torque and with-l the impeller and runner rotating eventually yatsubstantially the same speeds. A,

The planetary gear set 17 comprises a sun gear 35; a ring4 gear 36, a series of planet gears; 37 (one 'being'.illusl trated); in mesh with the sun gear 3S and afsecond'jseries of planet gears 3S (one beingy illustrated) each of which ring'gear 3.6 is' iiXed with respect to the shaft 1.3 by means of an arlfn'ular"` hub' 41 spline'd with respect to both theI gear' 36 and the 'sh'aft13. The planet gear carrier 39 is 2,762,237 Y Y Y rf rotatably mounted on the annular hub 41 and is splined to the shaft 14. The sun gear 35 has the rotor 27 of the hydraulic torque converter 16 fixed thereto and 1s rotatably mounted on the planet gear carrier 39.

The clutch 19 comprises an annular clutch disc 42 formed with openings for receiving certain of the planet gear shafts 40 for Xing the clutch disc with respect to the carrier 39. The clutch disc 42 is disposed between a pressure plate 43 xed with respect to the converter housing 24 and an annular piston 44 movable to engage the clutch disc 42 between the piston and the pressure plate 43. The piston 44 is disposed between'the inner surface of the flywheel 25 and an outer surface on an annular piston retainer 45and is provided with seals 46 of yieldable'material for sealing the pistonl with respect to these surfaces. Y The planetary gear set 18 is the same dual planet gear type as the gear set 17 and comprises a sungear 47, a ring gear 48, a series of planet gears 49 (one bemg illustrated) in mesh with thesun gear 47 and a series of spaced planet gearsf50 (one being illustrated) each of which 1s 1n mesh with one of the planet gears 49 and is also 1n mesh wlth lthe ring gear 48. A carrier 51 is provided for the planet gears'and has stub shafts 52 on which the gears 49 and 50 are mounted. The planet gear carrier 51 is splined on the central shaft 13, and the ring gear 48 is formed as a part ofthe driven shaft 11. VThe brake 21 comprises a brake band 53 adapted to engage on a drum portion 54 on the carrier 51, and the brake band 53 may be actuated by any suitable motor, such as aV uid pressure actuated piston motor (not shown).

The brake 20 functions on the sun gear 47 and cornprises an annular hollow member 55 connected by means of an annular hub member 56 with the sun gear 47, the member 56 being splined with respect to both the annular member 55 and the sun gear 47. The brake 20 comprises a brake band 57 adapted to engage a drum surface 58 on the member 55, and the brake band 57 may be engaged on the drum surface by the same type of actuating motor as that used for the brake 21.

The Vcombination clutch and brake 22 comprises a plurality of plates 59 splined within the member 55 and a plurality of plates 60 interleaved with respect to the plates 59 and splined on a hub member 61 which in turn is splined on the shaft 14. vThe plates 59 are acted on by meansrof an annular pistonr62 slidably disposed in a similarly Vshaped cavity 63 provided within the member 55 for compressing the plates ybetween the piston62 and the annular member 56. Sealing rings 64 and 65 of yieldable material respectively carried by the piston 62 and theV member 55 seal the piston within the cavity 63, and uid may be supplied to the cavity 63 by any suitable ducts, such as for example the passage 66. A plurality of springs 67 are provided yfor yieldably holding the piston 62 in its retracted position. Y

' The illustrated transmission provides low, intermediate and high speed forward drives and a drive in reverse. In the low speed forward drive the hydraulic converter 16 transmits all of the power from the drive shaft 10; in the intermediate speed forward drive the hydraulic converter 16 transmits only a portion of theV power from the drive shaft 10; in the high speed drive the hydraulic Yconverter 16 transmits only a portion of the power from the drive shaftA 10 which is less than that transmitted by the converter 16 in intermediate speed drive; and in reverse driveV the hydraulic converter 16 transmits all of the power from the drive shaft 10. i Y 1 Low speed forward drive is obtained by .engaging the brake 20 and the engageable device 22, and in this case thelatter device as a brake. Engagement of the brake 20 is obtained by Aactuating the motor (not shown) provided forV this purpose, and engagement of the engageable device 22 is obtained by applying fluid pressure behind the piston 62 to move it against the springs 67 vand,

heavy lines in Fig. 3) is from the drive shaft 10, through press the discs 60 and V59 together.

The brake 20 holds the annular member 55 stationary, and, through the hub member 56 the brake 20 holds the sun gear 47, so that this sun gear may act as the reaction member of the gear set 18. The engageable device 22 holds its hub 61 stationary with respect to the annular member 55 which is braked by the brake 20, and the shaft 14 and planet gear carrier 39 are thus braked, as they are con-Y nected with the hub r61. The planet gear carrier 39 in the gear set` 17 thus acts as'the reaction member of this gear set. The clutch 19 and brake 21`for this drive are disengaged. w

The low'speed forward drive power ytrain (shown in the flexible annular disc 26, the converter housing 24,

the torque converter 16 including the impeller 23 and.`

rotor 27, the sun gear 35 driven from the rotor 27, the planet gears 37 and 38, 'the ring gear 36, `the hub member 41, the shaft 13, Vthe planet gear carrier 51,A

forward direction with respect t-o the torque with whichV the sun gear 35 is driven, and the planet gear set 18 drives its ring gear 48 in the same direction and at an increased torque with respect to the torque with which the planet gear carrier 51 is driven from the gear set 17. Thus'it will be apparent that the low speed drive through the transmissionvis provided by the hydraulic torque converter 16, the planetary gear set 17 and the planetary gear set 18 connected in series or tandem with each other with all of these units multiplying torque and with only a single path of powerwow existing through the transmission. As thespeed of the driven shaft 11 and the rotor 27 of the hydraulic converter 16 increase, the torque converter 16 may reach its clutch point at which the brake 29 releases, and at that time Vthe torque Y converter ceases to convert torque and functions to drive the sun gear 35 at a substantial one to one drive wit respect to the impeller 23. Y

Second or intermediate speed forward drive (Fig. 4) ris obtained by releasing the engaging device 22 and engaging the clutch 19, allowing the brake V20 to 'rema'm engaged. 'I'he clutch 19 functions to provide a second path of power flow, exclusive of that through the con'- verter 16, to the planetary gear set 17. The clutch 19 may be engaged by simply applying fluid under pressure behind the piston 44 so as to grip the clutch disc 42 between the pressure Vplate 43 and the piston 44. -The clutch 19 when engaged connects the iywheel 25 Withthe shafts 40 of the planet gear carrier 39 extending through the clutch disc 42 so'as to thereby connect the flywheel 25 andrdrive shaft 10 directly with the planet gear carrier 39. The sun gear 35 remains connected with the flywheel 25 through the hydraulic torque converter 16, and assurn'mg that the rotor 27 is rotating Yat `substantially the same speed as the impeller 23 (a change from low to intermediate drive is ordinarily made afterl the vehicle has reached an appreciable speed), both' the carrier 39 and the sun gear 35 will thus be driven Vsubstantiallyv at the speed of the drive shaft 10 so that all of the elements of the planet gear set 17 are rotating at substantially engine speed, and the ring gear 36 of the gear set constituting the output element of the Y gear set is driven substantially at engine speed with part of the power from the drive shaft 10 proceeding through `-the clutch 19 to the gear set 17 and withrtheother part of the power from the drive shaft 10 proceedingy through the hydraulic torque converter 16 to the planet gear set 17. Assuming that the hydraulic torque converter'l isat a substantial one to one drive, approximately'57% of 'the .power from the drive shaft it)v is transmitted by th:v hydraulic torque converter 16 and the remaining 43% ofthe-power from the -drive shaft is'transmitted through the clutch 19, this particular division of power being-due'to-the sizesof the particular gears used in the gear setf17 and the particular elementsof-thegea'r set-.that areerespectively driven by the-clutch'191-and the hydraulic torque'converter 16; The ring gear'36 off-'the planetary gearset17, asbefore, drives the shaft 13,l and -the torque fromthe v'shaft -13 is transmitted throughand isi-multiplied bythe planetary gear set-18 whichdrives the driven shaft 1i@ Vofthe transmissionfrom its-ring, gear 48.-

FIliird'speedforward drive-(Fig. 5) is obtained by disengaging'thebrake 20-and engaging the engaging device 22,"allowingthe clutch19tofremain engaged. Engagement of Vthe engaging devicer22 `connects -the -shaft v14 through the hub 6I with the annular members -'55 and 56and-r the sun gear- 47of theY gear set-=18thus com; pleting a power train-from=the ywheel 25 through the clutch' 19, the carrier 39 4of the gear -set 17, the shaft 14 and the engaging device 22 tothe sun gear 47.'l Another `power train whichis in parallel withl thjs power train, through thetorque converterl 16 to the planet gear carrier 51 of the. gear set 1S remains completed `as in intermediate speed drive, the power trainfbeingfromthe flywheel 25, through 'the torque converter 16, the sun gear 35,'the planet gears -37 and 38, the ring gear 36, the lshaft 13 tothe carrier 151.' Assuming that the speed ofthe shaft 11'and of vthe elements ofthe-torque'converter 16 are sutliciently high, aswthey usually 1 are-'in highspeed forward drive, thetorque converter 16. isin itsv uid coupling range, and the carrier 39 Vand sun gear 35 of the gear set 17 rotate Aat substantiallydn've shaft speedfsothat ralltherelements of thegear set17 rotate substantially atthis speed, and the carrier 51 and sun gear -47 of the gear set 18are thus also-rotated both at engineA speed so-thatall of the elements of -the gear set 18 also rotate at this speed, whereby the shaft 11 is given at substantially drive shaftv speed. A` substantial one to one or direct drive thus exists through the 'transmission; It will be observed that the engaging 'device 22 in-this case functions as a-clutch for connectingtogether the carriert39 of the front gear set 17 vand 'the sun gear 47 ofthe rearA gear set v18. The-power'from the driveshaft which is split by means of therclut'ch.19. in :this case is recombined within the rear lplanetary gear setlS. The connections between 'the torque converter 16 and the .clutch 19 with the carrierSl and Vthe. sun gear. 47 of the Vrear planetary gear set. 18 are such and the size ofvarious gears in the gear ,set 18 are such that substantially 40% .of the power from the -drive shaft 10 is -transmitted through the. hydraulic torque 4converter 16, and 60% of the power from the drive shaft 10 is transmitted through the .clutch 19 1for this drivefassuming that the hydraulic torqueconverter 16 is in its coupling range driving its rotor 27 substantially at drive shafttspeed. The new connections in this power train as compared with .those in the-intermediate -speed power trainthus reduce the amount of power through the hydraulic torque converter 16 from 57% to 40%.

For reverse drive (Fig. 6), the engaging device 22 and the brake 21 are engaged,`the brake 20 and the clutch 19 being disengaged'. The brake 21 functions to brake the carrier 51 of the rear planetary gear set 18 and there' by the n'ng gear 36 of. the front planetary gear set 17, the carrier. 51 being connected through the shaft 13 and annular hub 41'with"the'ring"gear 36. The engaging device 22 in thisY case functions as in direct forward drive to connect together the carrier 39 Yof the front planetary gear setk and the sun `gear-47 of the' rearplanetaryv gear set13.` Thel drive in this case is from-thedrive shaft 10 throughi'the ywheelS, the torque converter impeller- 23,?the rotorx 27,` the sun gear 35,* the planetary gears' 37 and '38,' theplanet gear carrier 39,-- the sleeve shaft A14, the hub 61', the clutch 22, the annular hub member 56, the sun'gear' 47, the planet gears 49 and 50, Vand the ring gear i8V to the driven shaft 11. Inasmuch as the ring gear 36 is held stationary by means of the brake 21,'10- tation of the sun gear 35 by means of the hydraulic torque converter -16 causes a reverse rotation of the planet gear carrier 39 at a reduced speed with respect to that of the rotor 27, and the reverse rotation of the planet 'gear carrier 39 is transmitted'through the shaft 14 and *clutch 22 'to-the sun gear 47 which causesl the ring gear lit'and driven shaft 11 to-turnat increased torque' and Ydecreased speedin the reverse direction since the brake21fis'effective for holding the planet gear carrier 51 of 'the-rear gear set 18. The two planetgear sets- 17 and `18ifo1reverse drive are connectedv in tandem with keachother" and with the hydraulic torqueconverter 16, similar'to low speed forward' drive; however; for reverse drive the planet gear set 17 functions not onlyto multiplytorque but also functions to cause adrive in the reverse direce tion; The hydraulic torque converter 16"and the' rear planetary gear set 18 both function to multiply torque in this case. As in low speed forward drive, all of the power from the driveV shaftv 10 for reverse Adrive ows through the hydraulic torque converter Y16, and'forv this drive, generally the; reaction stator 28'of the torque converter 16 is stationary; being heldin thisv condition by the onefway brake29 so that the hydraulic converter 16 con'- verts or multiplies to1'que, at least for starting conditions of the vehicle.

My improved transmission .advantageously includes-the two planetary' gear sets 17 and V18 connected 'in tandem with the hydraulic torque converter 16 for the low speed forward drivevvith all of these three nnitsLconverting torque for providing a high starting torque for the vehicle. For the intermediate speed drive, the Ypower from the drive shaft 10 is split so that only a portion of it is transtmitted through the hydraulic torque converter whereby excessive losses from transmitting all ofthe power from the drive shaft through the hydraulic torque converter in this speed ratio are not realized but4 nevertheless the softcoupling effect ofthe. hydraulic torque converter which generally functions as a simple liuid coupling 4in this speedtare available.` For the high speed or direct kdrive in which' most of thev vehicle driving is done,.a smaller portion of the power from the drive shaft 10 is transmitted throughv` the hydraulic torque converter 16 so that losses within the hydraulic torque converter are reduced 4Still further but nevertheless the relatively soft coupling effect of the Vhydraulic unit 16 are realized in this speed also. For reversedrive all of the power from the drive shaft 10 is transmitted through the hydraulic torque converter 16 for providing an advantageously high starting torque for the vehicle.`

I Wish it'to be understood that my invention is not to be limited 'to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

I claim:

l. In 'transmission mechanism, the combination of Aa drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a fluid impeller, a runner or driven element receiving uid from said impeller and driven thereby, a fluid redirecting stator and means for holding 'said statorV against reverse rotation whereby'the Istator-isefl fectiveV to cause a multiplication of torquethroughth torqueconverter, means for providing a low speed foi? ward drive power train between said shafts including said torque converter for receiving all ofthe power from' 'said drive shaft and including first and second planetary gear sets connected vin .tandemlwith.said`torque converter; means forl providing Van intermediate; speed forwardtdrive power train between said shafts including said torque converter and means for dividing and recombining power from said drive shaft so that said hydrodynamic device transmits only a portion of the power from said drive shaft, said last named means including said first planetary ge'ar set and a clutch for connecting an element of said gear set with said drive shaft, Vand means for providing fa high speed'forward drive power train between said shafts including said torque converter and power dividing and recombining means transmitting a smaller portion of the power from said drive shaft through said hydrovdynamicidevice than in intermediate speed drive, said last named means Vincluding said two planetary gear sets and a clutch for connecting two elements of said gear sets together. Y i

f 2. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a .drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic torque transmitting device, means for providing a low speed forward drive power train between saidk shafts'including said hydrodynamic device for receiving all of the power from said drive shaft, said last named means including two .planetary gear sets connected in tandem between said hydrodynamic device and said driven shaftand means for holding Vcertain reaction elements of said gear sets stationary whereby they both Ymultiply torquejmeans for providing an intermediate speed forward drive power Ytrain between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and including Va clutch for connecting said drive shaftwith an element of said first planetary gear setV so .that said hydrodynamic device transmits only a portion of the power from said drive shaft, and means for providing a high speed forward Vdrive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and including clutch means for connecting elements of said two planetary gear sets together whereby power is transmitted from said iirst planetary gear set in two paths to said second planetary gear set, said last-mentioned means being constructed and arranged so that said hydrodynamic device transmits a smaller portion of the power from said drive shaft through said hydrodynamic device than in intermediate speed drive,

f .3. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic torque transmitting device driven by said drive shaft, means for providing a low speed for-ward drive power train between Vsaidshafts including said hydrodynamic device for receiving all of the power from said drive shaft, said means including first and second planetary gear sets each having a power input element, a power output element, and a reaction'element, the power input element of said iirst planetary gear set being connectedvwith said hydrodynamic device to be driven thereby and said power output lernent of this gear set being connected with the power input element of said second planetary gear set, thepower output element of said second planetary gear set being connected with said driven shaft whereby the planetary gear sets are connected in tandem between said hydrodynamic device and said driven shaft, brake means for holding the reaction elementsof both of said gear sets for completing the low'speed drive, means for providing an intermediate speed drive including Asaid hydrodynamic device for transmitting a portion of the power from said drive shaft and includingv a clutch for connecting the reaction element of saidirst planetary gear set with said drive shaft whereby the power is divided through said ,clutchV and said hydrodynamic device and is recombined lin said irst planetary gear set and said second planetary gear set multiplies the torque from said first planetary gear set with its reaction element being held stationary by -therespective brakermeans, and means for providing a high speed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device transmitting a smaller portion of the power from said drive shaft than in intermediate speed drive and including a clutch for connecting the reaction element of vsaid first planetarygear set with hydrodynamic device is recombined in said second plane-A tary gear set.

4. In transmission mechanism, the combination of aV drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic torque transmitting device driven by said drive shaft, means for providing a low speed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and including rst and second planetary gear sets, each of said gear sets having an input element, an output element, and a reac tion element, the input element of said first planetary gear set being connected to be driven by said hydrodynamic device and the output element of said rst gear set being connected to drive the input element of said second gear set, the output element of said'second gear set being connected with said driven shaft, a brake for the reaction element of said second gear set, an engaging means connecting said brake with said reaction element of said iirst gear set whereby both of the reaction elements are braked and the low speed power train is completed with bothV of said gear sets multiplying torque, means for providing an intermediate speed forward drive power Vtrain be-. tween said shafts including said hydrodynamic device which vtransmits only a portion of the power from said drive shaft and including a clutch for connectingvthe reaction element of said first gear set with said drive shaft for dividing the power transmitted from said drive shaftA and for recombining the power from said torque converter and said clutch in said rst gear set with said brake remainingY engaged so .that said second gear set multiplies torque, said engaging means completing one path of a dual path direct drive from said drive shaft through said clutch and the reaction element of said iirst gear set to the reaction element of said second gear set whereby the clutch divides the power from `said drive shaft through s-aid hydrodynamic device and the clutchY gaging means are engaged, said brake holding" said input element of said second gear set and the output element of said first gear set stationary so that these elements now act as reaction members for completing the reverse drive and said engaging means being engaged so that the reaction element of said first gear set is driven in a reverse direction from said hydrodynamic device to drive the reaction element of said second gear set in the reverse direction and the said second gear set multiplies the torque in reverse drive 'to said driven shaft.

5. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic torque transmitting Ydevice having an impeller or driving element and a rotor or driven element, said impeller being connected with-said drive shaft, ak first planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear in mesh with said sun gear, a planet gear inmesh with said first named planet gearand with said ring gear, and a carrier for said'planet gears, a second planetary gear set having the Ysarne elements as said iirst planetary gear set, the sun gear-of said rst gear set being connected with said rotor .tobe driven thereby, the ring gear of said first gear set being connected with the carrier of said second y gear set,fe ngaging means -for connecting the carrier of i' said-first gear set with the suny gear of said second gear set,itheringgear" of said second set being connected with cercanas' the f gearof; said .second gear ;set,; and. '.a clutch :for connecting the carrierl of said' iirst; gear. set. witlrsaid drive shaft, said brake and said 4engaging means 'when '.both are engaged completing a low-speed forward drive .between said shafts with all'of. :the power. i'Iomasaid drive shaft -passing through ysaid hydrodynamic .device and both-ofsad Planetary gear setsmultiplying torque,4 said clutchandsaid brake when both are engaged'completing angintermediate speedy forward drive power. train= with saidclutch dividinga partof the power from said drive shaft from; said hydrodynamic. deviceand said rstplanetary-4 gear `set -recombining the powerfand saidv second planetary gear. .set m ultiplying torque,. said. clutch and said. engaging: me.ans when bothl areengaged completing a direct, substantial. one to one power. train between vsaid shaftslwith Saidclutch'dividing `the power from saiddrive shaft= with .irespectitosaid hydrodynamic device and said second .planetary-'gear set recombining the power.

6.3.11; transmission mechanism,l the combination: of f a drive` shaft, a driven shaft, a .hydrodynamic torque converter'comprising a uidimpellena runner-or driven-elemelltnreceiving-yiluid `from said impeller and-'driven therebyg; a yilu-id redirectingstatorLand meansl for holding said; stator againstreverse rotation wherebyv the .stator is eiective to-cause a multiplication of torquev through the torque converter, said impeller beingl connected with drive vshaft to be driven thereby, a planetary gear set comp,-rising a sun'gear, a ring gear, a planet gear in mesh; With said; sun gear, a planet gearin mesh with said rstfnamed planet. gear and with said, ring gearya planet n gear carrier, a second planetary gear'set-comprising the same elementsas said rst named planetary gear set, the Y sunrgearof said first. planetary gear: set being connected withsaid `rotor to be driven thereby, the Vrin-g gear of said -i'rfsbplanetary gear set-being connected with the iplanct gear carrier ofY said secondI gear set,- engaging means for connecting the carrier of saidrst planetary gear-sety withthe sun gearofsaid second Vplanetaryv geartset, thering; gear .ofsaid second planetarygea-r Yset being, con! nected with'saiddrivenl shaft fordriving Ythe latter,- a e braken-forfthe. sun gea-riot said second planetaryl gear set,;a brake for the carrier ofY said second planetary gear set-and the ring-gear of-said first planetary gear set, and a yclutch for connecting the` carrier of said rst planetary gear. set Vwith'said drive shaft, the brake for the sun gear of said second planetary gear set and said engaging means-when engaged vcompleting a low speed 'forwarddrive= power.- train between saidv shafts. with' all of --the power from.A said drive shaft being transmitted throughl said torque converter and with said two planetary gear setsx being in tandemand bothmultiplying torqueythe brake for the sun gearof said second planetary gear set and saidvclutchwhen both are engaged completing an intermediate speedforward drive power train between said shafts'with said clutch dividing thepower from saidl drivehshaft -with respect Ato the torquel converter and the rst planetary gear set recombining lthe powerand: said second planetary gear set multiplying torqueysaid engaging means and said clutch when both are engaged completing a substantial one'to one direct'driver power train vbetween said Yshafts with power fromsaidl drive shaft being transmitted through the carrier of saidfirst planetarygear set to the sun gear of said second planetaryA gear setand power: through said'torque converter being transmitted through the sun -gear and ring gear of said rstlplanet gear setto the carrier of said second 'planet gear-set with the latter gear setcombining the power from both-these paths, the brake forl'the planet gear carrierof said second gear set1and said engaging means- Whenboth 'are engaged completing a reverse drive powertrain betweensaid shafts with all of the power from-said drive shaft-being transmitted through saidA torque converterv and said first planetary gear set driving itszplanetr gear carrier-in the-reverse direction at increased torque and the' second planetary gear set multiplying the' torque '1d said first :planetaryzgearrser: and .transnttingitto said driven shaft'.-

7. In transmission: mechanism;A the f combination 'Oife-'a drive Vshaft,1a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic; torque transe mitting device, means'for-providing aalotw speed-'forward drive power train. between saidfshaftsfincluding saidv hydrodynamic device. and means for: dividing and recombining, .the Ypower fromr'saidA drive shaftlso that said .hydrodynamic .device transmits only V-aportion: of the power from said vdrive shaftysaidxlast named means including a planetary gear sethavingtwo' input elements and .an output element,' means` connectingoneof-fsaid input-elements to saidhydrodynamic device andraclntch for. connecting the .other input 'element with-'said driveshaft, and means forzproviding azrelativelyrhighr speed forward drive power train. between said: shafts; including said hydrodynamic deviceandpower; dividing Vand recom?- bining means, said last-mentioned .means vbeingzconstructed Vand Varranged :to: transmit` a 'smaller portionV of theV Ypower fronr said drive'. shaft' through' said vhydro'- dynamic device than in said low speed drive,.said.1ast named'recombining means including another planetary gear set. having twoY input. elements and an output'element, oneV ofr said input. elements beingV driven: from: said hydrodynamic device and. the other input. element being driven throughsaid clutch*h 8.V ln transmission mechanism, the .combinationf of a driveV shaft,Y` a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic .torque .transmitting device; means. for providing. a relatively-'flow specdforward drive power-"trainy between said. shafts including said hydrodynamic. device.. and means fordivid'-v ing and. 'recombining :the power Ifrom said 'drive shaft so thatsaid hydrodynamic device. transmits .only a portion of. the. power-from said drive shaft, *.said recombining t means .including a liirst planetary gear. set-having Ya .sim

gear, a ring: gear, a planet; gear. in mesh with the Ysun gear, Va planettgeariin mesh .withisaid first namedV planet gear and with said ring gear,-and.a planet gear carrier;v said, sun gear. being connected with said hydrodynamic device to be driven .thereby and .said planet. geari carrier being. connected with said. drive shaft to divertaportion of therpower. from'said drive shaft aroxmd said hydrodynamic device, a lsecond planetary gear set:comprising the same. elements as. said tirstplanetary` gear setA and having. its ring gear. being connected .with saidV driven shaft for driving the driven shaft, said.. rin-g .gearof said first. gear set being; connected with the carrienofA said second gear set whereby the latter lgear set, multi-plies torque,.means for providing: a highspeed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydro. dynamic device and. .power Adiwding and zrecombining means. for transmitting a smaller portion of the .power from said Adrive shaft through said hydrodynamic devicev than/ inv saidf low speed. drive and including means .fon connecting the sun gear :ofsaid second planetary geariset with said driveshaft vwhereby the-latteris .driven directly from tlredrive shaft and. :the: planet gear .carrier is driven through .said hydrodynamic torque. transmitting de vice.-

9. In a transmission mechanism,.the combination com: prisinga drive shaft; a drive-nshaft; .a hydrodynamic torque transmitting device having a drivingmember cone nected to said drive shaftiand a driven member; low speedpower train .means between said.- shafts comprising said. hydrodynamic device,. a iirst planetary gear set havinga plurality of elements constructed and arranged to transmit torque through said, first planetary, gear setand means connecting. said driven member ofsaid hydrodynamic de-.

vice to one elementV of said rst gear set, said llow speed power train means being constructed and arranged. to cause all of the power from said driveV shaft to pass through said hydrodynamic device; intermediate speed power train means between said shafts. comprising said hydrodynamic device, said first'planetary'Y gear set, said'means connecting said driven 'member- Vof V-said hydrodynamic'v device tor Vclutch means connecting said drive shaft to another element of said first gear set, a second planetary gear set having aplurality of elements constructed .and arranged togtransmitjorque through said second planetary gear set including an element connected to said driven shaft, ande'ngaging means'interconnecting elements of said first and vsecond planetaryV gear sets; said high speed power train meansbeing Vso constructed and arranged that said hydrodynamicdevice transmits a smaller portion of the power,Y from said drive shaft when said high speed power train is operable than when said intermediate speed power train is operable. Y Y

10. In a transmission, the combination comprising a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic device, a first planet gear set having a plurality of drive and drive receiving elements constructed and arranged to transmit torque through the first planet gear set a iirst one of which receives power through said hydrodynamic device, a second planet gear set having a plurality of drive and drive receiving elements constructed and arranged to transmit torque through the second planet gear set a lirst one of Vwhich is connected to drive said driven shaft, a second one of said elements of said first gear set being connected in driving relation with a second element of said second planet gear set, a clutch for connecting a third element of said first planet gear set with a third element of said second planet gear set, and a brake for one of said two last-named elcments for holding said third elements stationary when 'said clutch is also engaged for rendering these elements re-V action elements for completing a drive between said shafts through said two planet gear sets, and another engaging device effective on one of the elements of said rst gear set for completing a drive between said shafts when said clutch is also engaged during which drive power ows in multiple paths between said two gear sets, one path being between said second elements and the other pathV being between said third elements. Y

l1. In a transmission, the combination comprising a drive shaft,a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic device, a first planetV gear set having a plurality of drive and drive receiving elements constructed and arranged to transmit torque through the rst planet gear set a first one of which Y receives power through said hydrodynamic device, a

named elements for holding said third elements stationaryy when said clutch is also engaged for rendering these elements reaction elements for completing a drive between said shafts through said two planet gear sets, and a second clutch constructed and arranged effectively to connect one of said elements Vof said rst gear set to said drive shaft for completing a' drive between saidshafts when said,

clutch is also engaged during which drive power iiows in multiple paths between said two gear sets, one path being between said second elements and the other path being between said third elements. Y

torque converter comprising a fluid irnpeller, a runner or driven element receiving uid from said impeller and driven thereby, a duid redirecting stator, and means yfor holding saidstator against reverse rotation whereby'the stator is effective tor/cause a multiplication of torque through the torque converter, said impeller being connected with said drive shaft to be driven thereby; a first planet gear set havinga plurality of drive and drive receiving elements constructed and arranged to transmit torque through the first planet gear set a first one of which receives power through said hydrodynamic torque con'-V verter, a second planet gear set having a plurality of drive and drive receiving elements constructed and arranged to transmit torqueV through said second planet gear set including a rst one of which is connected to drive said driven shaft, a second one of said elements of said first gear set being connected in driving relation'with a second element of 'said second gear set, a clutch for connecting a third element of said rst planet gear set with a third element of said second planet gear set, and a brake for one of said two last-named elements for holding said third elements stationaryrwhen said Yclutch, isV

also engaged for rendering these elements reaction elements to complete a drive between said shafts throughV said two planet gear sets, and another engaging device effective on one of said elements of said first gear set to complete a drive between said shafts when said clutch is also engaged during which drive power flows in multiple paths between said two gear sets, one path being between said second elements and the other path being between said third elements.

13. In transmission mechanism, the combination comprising a drive shaft, a driven shaft; a hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a uid irnpeller, a runner or driven element receiving fluid from said impeller and driven thereby, a fluid redirecting stator, and means for holding said stator against reverse rotation whereby the stator is effective to cause a multiplication of torque through the torque converter, said impeller being connected with said drive shaft to be driven thereby; a first planetary gear set having a pluralityof drive receiving and driving elements comprising a sun gear, a'ring gear, a planet gear in mesh with said sun gear, another Vplanet gear in mesh with said first mentioned planet gear and with said ring gear, and a planet gear carrier; asecond planet gear set having a plurality of drive receiving and driving ele,. ments comprising the same elements as said first-mentioned planetary gear set, the sun gear of said rst planetary gear set being connectedV to receive power from said runner, the ring gear of said rst planetary gear set being connected to a drive receiving element of said second planetary gear set, the ring gear of said second planetary gear set being connected to said driven shaft, a rst clutch operable to connect together an element of said Viirst planetary gear set and an element of said second taneously when said brake is disengaged Yto provide a high 12. In a transmission mechanism, the'combination comprising a drive shaft, a drivenrshaft; a hydrodynamic tween said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and including means for dividing and recombining the power from said drive shaft so that said hydrodynamic device transmits only a portion of the power from said drive shaft, said dividing and recombining means including a planetary gear set having a plurality of driving and drive receiving elements drivingly connected with each other, means connecting one of said elements with said driven member of said hydrodynamic device and a clutch for connecting another of said elements with said drive shaft, and means for providing a high speed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and power dividing and recombining means including said planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set having an element connected with an element of said rst-mentioned planetary gear set through a selectively operable engaging device, said high speed forward drive power train providing means being constructed and arranged to transmit a smaller portion of the power from said drive shaft through said hydrodynamic device than in intermediate speed, said second planetary gear set having an element connected to said driven shaft.

15. In transmission mechanism, the combination of a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a hydrodynamic torque transmitting device, means for providing a loW speed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device for receiving all the power from said drive shaft and including rst and second planetary gear sets connected in tandem with said hydrodynamic device, means for providing an intermediate speed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and including means for dividing and recombining power from said drive shaft including said rst planetary gear set so that said hydrodynamic device transmits only a portion of the power from said drive shaft, said dividing and recombining means also including a clutch for connecting an element of said rst gear set with said drive shaft, and means for providing a high speed forward drive power train between said shafts including said hydrodynamic device and a second power dividing and recombining means including said second gear set, said high speed forward drive power train providing means being constructed and arranged to transmit a smaller portion of the power from said drive shaft through said hydrodynamic device than in intermediate speed drive, said second power dividing and recombining means including a clutch for connecting an element of said rst planetary gear set with an element of said second planetary gear set, said second planetary gear set having an element connected to said driven shaft.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,211,233 Kelley Aug. 13, 1940 2,277,214 Dodge Mar. 24, 1942 2,301,451 Pollard Nov. 10, 1942 2,302,714 Pollard Nov` 24, 1942 2,312,849 Pollard Mar. 2, 1943 2,324,713 McFarland July 20, 1943 2,352,004 Pollard June 20, 1944 2,353,905 Kelley July 18, 1944 2,372,817 Dodge Apr. 3, 1945 2,414,359 Carnagua Jan. 14, 1947 2,454,014 Seybold Nov. 16, 1948 2,572,007 Burtnett Oct. 23, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 966,238 1950 France Oct. 4, 

